Labour leaders and rights advocates on Sunday called for the establishment of a national minimum wage, a democratic process for selecting wage board representatives, and regular reviews of minimum wages based on comprehensive assessments to ensure a dignified standard of living for workers.

At a roundtable titled ‘Wage Determination Process of the Minimum Wage Board: Scope, Challenges, and Way Forward,’ they raised concerns about the effectiveness and functionality of the board, stating that it often fails to uphold a democratic approach in the wage negotiation process.

Labour leaders emphasised that workers should not be deprived of fair wages in the name of industry survival; instead, the government should take the initiative to establish a living wage, recognising the equal participation of both employers and workers in the country’s economic development.

The Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies organised the roundtable at the Daily Star Centre in Dhaka. Minimum Wages Board chairman Mamunur Rashid attended as the chief guest, while the programme was presided over by BILS vice-chairman Md Anwar Hossain.

Jagannath University associate professor Mostafiz Ahmed presented a keynote paper at the event, highlighting key challenges faced by the Minimum Wages Board, including a lack of regular wage revisions, insufficient human resources, the absence of a research wing, and difficulties in assessing capacity to pay and productivity.

He noted that all parties involved in wage negotiations should consider whether the proposed wage amount upholds human dignity. Mostafiz also mentioned that fair wages for workers could be a crucial tool in eliminating disparity and discrimination in society.The keynote paper also identified that the wage declaration process by the minimum wages board faced notable challenges, including significant delays, controversies over the selection of worker representatives, and a lack of transparency in how wages were calculated.

It said that the calculations were not publicly disclosed, and independent members never provided separate assessments.

The paper also identified that political influences could impact wage decisions, as seen in sectors like tea, and the declared wages often fall short of workers’ expectations.

Mostafiz identified that 47.6 per cent of the 42 industrial sectors have not experienced any regular wage increases over the past six to 40 years.

International Labour Organisation project manager Neeran Ramjuthan said that while the minimum wages board periodically reviewed wages, these reviews were often delayed, hindering alignment with economic realities.

He said that wages were adjusted infrequently, typically in response to external pressures rather than through regular assessments, which limited the board’s proactive role.

This led to wage disparities amid rising inflation and living costs, Neeran said.

The ILO expert said that the minimum wage policies in Bangladesh often neglected gender equity and sectoral disparities, particularly affecting women in informal sectors.

He suggested that adopting a stronger gender lens could improve wage fairness.

Neeran also recommended that establishing a regular wage adjustment schedule, enhancing digitalisation, and strengthening consultations with social partners could make the minimum wages board more responsive to labour market conditions and the needs of workers.

By implementing consistent reforms, building capacity, and advancing digital initiatives, the board can improve its functionality and set an example for equitable wage standards across the region, he said.

Department of Labour director Anamul Hoque proposed developing a standard operation procedure for the minimum wages board.

He also informed that the total number of formal industrial sectors had increased from 42 to 56, as the government had recently brought 14 additional sectors under wage regulation.

Anamul said that the government was working on establishing a national minimum wage and that a draft policy had already been prepared.

Sramik Karmachari Oikkya Parishad leader Razequzzaman Ratan demanded a timely revision of minimum wages for workers in line with inflation.

He also called for ensuring the accountability of wage board members, stating that there were allegations that some members’ bank accounts were inflating as a result of wage negotiations.

Former IBC general secretary Towhidur Rahman said that establishing a national minimum wage should be the top priority, followed by sectoral minimum wages.

He also called for the minimum wages board to be free from political interferences.

In his remarks, BILS executive director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed said that 80 per cent of industrial disputes was related to wages.

Sammilita Garment Sramik Federetion president Nazma Akter said the ratio of basic wages of readymade garment workers had been decreasing gradually due to the influence of factory owners on the wage board.

She said that during the latest negotiation, all the labour organisations unanimously demanded a minimum wage of Tk 23,000 for RMG workers; however, it was ultimately set at Tk 12,500 due to the non-professionalism and compromising actions of some trade union leaders.

IndustriALL Bangladesh Council general secretary Shahidullah Badal, BILS secretary general Nazrul Islam Kahan, Tannery Workers Union general secretary Abdul Malek and Solidarity Center country programme director AKM Nasim, among others, spoke at the event.